The Maze Runner
Chapter 52
Summary & Analysis

LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Maze Runner, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.

Memory and Identity

Stability and Order vs. Change and Chaos

Sacrifice

Growing Up

Hope

Sexism

Summary

Analysis

While the Keepers erupt into loud argument, Newt has a chance to talk one-on-one with Thomas. Newt tells him to leave the meeting room so that the rest of the Keepers can discuss the plan without his presence interfering with their decision. Newt adds that he won’t allow Thomas to sacrifice himself and that all the Gladers will fight their way to the Hole together.

Newt’s rejection of Thomas’ proposal to sacrifice himself is the first indication that self- sacrifice may not always be the right decision. Self-sacrifice should only be a last resort and, as Newt implies, since all the Gladers will fight there might not be a need for his sacrifice anyway.

Active
Themes

Thomas tells Newt that he wants to sacrifice himself because it’s the only way to redeem himself for building the Maze. Newt says that it’s not his fault because he was just a kid forced by the adults to do something wrong. Before Thomas leaves, Newt promises that he’ll try to convince the group to attack the Griever Hole tonight before the Grievers kill anyone else.

Thomas’s desire to sacrifice himself mirrors Gally’s act of redemption. But, unlike Gally, Thomas has done nothing that requires redemption because he had no choice but to help the Creators. Thomas’s hopefulness also spreads to Newt, who whole-heartedly believes in his plan.

Active
Themes

Thomas telepathically communicates with Teresa and tells her to meet him at the Box. When they meet, he tells her the plan to attack the Hole. After he confesses that he’s scared, she tells him that it’s only human to feel afraid. After that, they hold hands in silence, enjoying the peace before the big fight.

Teresa’s reassurances illustrate that fear is natural and okay as long as it doesn’t overpower hope. In Alby’s case, fear takes him over, making him prefer death over returning to home.